Walking With My Children

-
Photobucket

We rush through our days, brushing pass one another on our way from one event to the other. At the end of some days it feels like the only thing I've done is bark orders at the children or scold them for something they've done or not done.

Photobucket

Now that I'm working and school has started, this seems to be magnified. One of the reasons I love getting out in the woods and hiking with the kids is that it gives me an opportunity to reconnect with them.

The fresh air and quiet woods seem to be a catalyst to communication.

Photobucket

They tell me about school and the ways they are struggling. They share their concerns.

Photobucket

They also share their dreams and hopes. They tell me about their passions. I feel encouraged when they tell me how much they love our family.

Photobucket

I find out that one feels like he finally belongs and is gaining large amounts of self-confidence. Another shares his desire for the future and college.

Photobucket

My youngest just chatters happily and talks about her days and all the things she wants to do.

Photobucket

We leave the shadow of the woods and back into the busyness of our lives. There will still be days and weeks of feeling harried and hassled, yet somehow we feel closer because of our interlude in the forest.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 5:08 PM

    What a nice post. You made my day! You have a very nice family and I hope the best for each one. I believe God speaks to us better in the quiet of nature.
    God bless, Kathy in Illinois

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Lovely that you have a special way to connect. For some reason, my kids and I talk more while I'm driving them somewhere. I suppose it helps that our roads are remote and the scenery is dramatic and thought-provoking. Being out in the middle of no where helps us to open up to each other as we bob along the country lanes. Precious times.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 7:34 PM

    I'm glad you could enjoy this special time with your kids!

    Have a blessed weekend,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love your comments and encouragement! I can't always respond back but do read each comment.

Popular posts from this blog

Choosing Not to Kick the Cat

-
Image
The choices we make can either be good or bad. So many don't realize that even our attitudes and feelings are a choice. We have a choice each day to make that day one in which we will react to our circumstances or choose not to react. I can choose to let someone else's bad day ruin mine, or I can choose to not take on someone else's attitude. When Dan and I were first married we worked for a sales organization. I still remember listening to a motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar who was talking about this topic. He gave the scenario of a man being a work and having a boss that was berating him all day long. The man then came home and snapped at his wife. His wife, in turn, yelled at their son for a small infraction because she was upset. The son was now hurt by his mom and pushed his little sister. She, being the youngest, turns around and kicks the cat! Zig talked about making a different choice by not allowing others bad behaviors and moods cause you to respond in the
Read more

Oh What to Do; I'm Sixty-Two!

-
Image
Today is my sixty-second birthday and it's hard to believe I've achieved that....um....seasoned age! My first thought this morning was one of not being sure that I like it. However,  as I thought I about it, I decided to take joy in the fact that I've reached an older age. Because age comes with benefits. Benefit #1 - I'm a bit wiser.   When I look back at some of the decisions I made when I was younger, I cringe. With age has come the ability to slow down and think things through before I make major upheavals in my life. I've also discovered that getting worked up about certain things is just an absolute waste of emotional energy. Benefit #2 - I'm enjoying my life.   As I've aged I've learned all kinds of skills and hobbies and can honestly say that I'm never, ever bored. I love all the different things I'm able to do and it's fun! Benefit #3 - I've learned to appreciate my relationships. With age I've learned to work on developing a
Read more

Eating to Live

-
Image
  Despite the unexpected busyness and interruptions, I have been plugging away at my weight loss as well as writing the plant-based, whole food cookbook. Recipe testing fell by the wayside the past two weeks, but I've still gotten a good chunk of the book done. I also got on the scale this morning for another one pound loss which makes a total of 61 lbs. since I started this journey back in July. It's second nature at this point and I have so much more energy and feel healthy. The only negative is that because I've lost so much weight I'm seeing some sagging, crepe-papery skin happening. Yuck. Some of that is age and I need to figure out some toning exercises. It's definitely a life-style change, but a positive one which I'm so thankful I started on. The pictures above are a small selection of meals I've eaten the past two months and many of those will be included in the book.  This will be a printable e-book as I find that will be the easiest and most cost
Read more